IRISH people are being urged to cut their hedges before this weekend or they will need to wait until September for another chance.
Ireland has strict rules on when hedges can be cut in order to protect wildlife, such as birds who make their nests in hedges to raise their young.
Other species that make homes in hedges include owls, hedgehogs, badgers, stoats and butterflies.
And hedgerows also provide other benefits such as crop protection, noise control and flood control.
Due to their importance, from March 1 until August 31 it is illegal to cut hedges in Ireland.
This also includes grubbing, burning and destroying.
There are some varying rules for businesses, landowners and the public and in some specific cases hedges may be cut within the March to August window.
This includes if you are cutting, felling, lopping, trimming or removing a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation on you land to prevent it being a hazard to people using a public road.
You may also cut hedges while clearing vegetation during road or construction works, or while developing or preparing building sites.
It also includes destroying any vegetation growing on or in a hedge or ditch during the ordinary course of farming or forestry.
However, any hedge cutting outside these situations is illegal and should be reported.
Illegal hedge cutting can be reported to your local Garda station or your local National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) office.
You should make note of the time and date the illegal cutting took place and record the registration plate of any vehicles involved.
You are permitted to cut hedges on your own property within the dates outlined.
WHEN IS PERMISSION NEEDED?
However, there are cases where you will need to ask your neighbour’s permission.
If the hedge is a boundary line between your land and your neighbour’s, then the hedge is the property of both parties.
This means you will need to ask for permission from the neighbour before any hedge cutting takes place.
The same applies to any trees that are a boundary.
If branches are hanging down into your property you are entitled to cut them.
However, it is advised not to do so without discussing with your neighbour first to avoid any disagreements.
You must also make sure that what you plan to cut down is not subject to a tree preservation order.
You can check this with the local authority.
